Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance isn't a new idea. For decades, people in heavy industry have dreamt of eliminating costly machine breakdowns and unplanned system downtime. Now that the data revolution has finally made predictive maintenance feasible, the possibilities seem endless. This O'Reilly report examines how the combination of advanced analytics, low-cost sensors, and the IoT promises to elevate maintenance from a cost center to a profit center.

Through interviews with several industry experts, award-winning journalist Mike Barlow reveals that predictive maintenance is more than merely a tool or solution— it's an integrated business strategy. Plant managers can run equipment longer at less cost, VPs can optimize operations in general, and C-suite executives can turn those efficiencies into market advantages and real profits.

Many IT, manufacturing, healthcare, and energy firms already practice predictive maintenance, but companies in other industries need time and expertise to pursue the large-scale data collection, advanced analysis, machine learning, and automation required to make it work. This report explores the possible rewards and caveats of this innovative model.

Mike Barlow is an award-winning journalist, author, communications strategy consultant, and cofounder of Cumulus Partners.